Your bedroom might be too hot or too cold. Maybe you’re on a sugar high from dessert or have been overexposed to blue light from your devices. The culprit could also be various noises keeping you up at night, and if that’s the case, you might want to consider investing in a sound machine to drown out any unwanted commotion disrupting your ability to snooze. That being said, there isn’t enough research to definitively say whether or not the specific sounds and frequencies emitted by these machines improve the quality of sleep. But, placebo effect or not, according to co-founders of The Happy Sleeper and authors of Generation Sleepless, Heather Turgeon, MFT, and Julie Wright, MFT, some people just prefer to fall asleep to some sound. Depending on the device, sound machines can emit a myriad of noises to suit the user’s preference. These typically include nature and ambient sounds, like rain falling or city traffic, as well as white, pink, brown, or blue noise. Sleep expert and head of content at Saatva Christina Heiser notes that white noise is a “sound that remains consistent across all hearable frequencies” and “creates a masking effect, blocking out the sudden changes in noise—like snoring, or the dog barking, or a truck rumbling down the street.” Pink, brown, and blue noise are all slightly different sound frequencies used for the same purpose: to mask the noises in your environment that might keep you from falling asleep. Generally speaking, there’s little risk in trying a sound machine to get some quality shut-eye, despite the misconception that falling asleep to white noise or ambient sounds isn’t healthy. According to co-owner of Nolah Mattress and certified sleep science coach, Stephen Light, some people think it’s best to sleep in silence, but this doesn’t take into account the diversity of people’s living situations and how they affect their ability to get a good night’s sleep. “If ambient noise blocks out a loud street, a noisy roommate, or simply your anxious thoughts as you lie in bed, the benefits likely outweigh any risks,” he tells mbg. And as long as your sound machine emits sound at the appropriate decibel level (60 decibels or less), CEO and certified sleep specialist at My Sweet Sleeper Rachel Mitchell adds “there are no known issues with its long-term use,” either. Next, Light says you want to be on the lookout for sound machines that offer different types of sounds. This is especially important for first-time users, as white noise (or pink, brown, or blue noise) doesn’t work for everyone, nor do ambient sounds. Figuring out which noise or noises resonate with your sleep preferences might take some trial and error, but this way you won’t have to purchase multiple sound machines to find what works. Beyond sound variety, Adams says customizable volume control is a must, as well as adjustable light output, portability, and a “clean loop” feature so you won’t be able to hear when the recording begins and ends and potentially be woken up by the sudden change. If you’re shopping for the best sound machines for kids, oftentimes these types of devices will have built-in night lights and adjustable settings parents can access for their phones. Hatch’s sound machine is the perfect addition to any bedside table. It emits a soft, blushing glow void of blue light for reading in bed and mimics morning light in the a.m. to help set your circadian rhythm. Connecting your device to the brand’s app will give you access to its exclusive library of sleep stories, meditations, and more. Plus, your sleep experience is customizable to your preferences, so you can fall asleep to white noise and wake up to birds chirping. Hatch The Hatch Restore ($129.99) This is not a sound machine fit for a bedside table. It is a tall tower that needs to be plugged into an outlet. However, what I love about Honeywell’s appliance is it’s also a powerful fan. As a naturally hot sleeper, I appreciate the combination of white noise and constant airflow coming my way. I turn it on before bed and shut it off when I wake up in the morning. Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan ($60.99) What’s more, the solid-state sound machine also features a range of timer settings (up to five hours total) and 32 levels of volume. It also has a no-loop technology to protect your hearing and avoid noise pollution, plus a memory function that essentially bookmarks your preferences from its previous use so you don’t have to sleepily fiddle with a bunch of buttons to program it again and again. Magicteam Sound Machine ($23.99) Available in blue, silver, and gold, the portable sound machine comes programmed with six soothing sleep tracks: White Noise, Thunder, Ocean, Rain, Summer Night, and Brook. It features an automatic timer that can be set to 15, 30, or 60 minutes, can be plugged into the wall, or can run on four AA batteries. The only major caveat of the affordable machine is its limited amount of sound options, but the fact that it can fit into a purse for on-the-go use might make up for that. HoMedics White Noise Sound Machine ($21.99) The Sound+Sleep SE timer can be set to turn off after 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes, or you can opt for continuous listening throughout the night. The device is constantly monitoring your surroundings and adjusting accordingly to keep you asleep, and if you’d prefer a more private listening session, it comes with a headphone jack (a rarity these days), so you can plug in, tune out, and drift off to sleep. Adaptive Sound Technologies Sound+Sleep Machine ($108.88) The Original White Noise Machine has a cult following, and for good reason. “It’s fan-based with natural white noise and produces the ambient sounds of moving air,” Adam notes, adding that, in her personal experience, she’s found it to “be really durable and an overall high-quality machine.” Additional features worth mentioning are the device’s two-speed options for tone and volume (“high” for especially noisy environments and “low” for everywhere else), and its portability, so you can use it in the bedroom, in your office, living room, or hotel room to combat that dreaded first-night effect. Yogasleep by Marpac Dohm Classic The Original White Noise Machine ($46.49) Part sound-machine, part alarm clock, The Loftie guides users through breathwork, stories, and sound baths to lull them to sleep, with a sleep timer that fades said content over time. It features a blackout mode and optional nightlight, your choice of white noise or nature sounds, plus a backup battery to ensure your slumber isn’t disrupted by a power fizzle. In the morning, you’ll wake up to two alarms: the first, a gentle sound signaling you to open your eyes, the second is a non-alarming nudge to get up and out from under the covers. Loftie The Loftie Clock ($149) Available in four colorways (white, charcoal, Evo white, and black), the sound machine boasts a solid-state design operated via AC or USB. Light also raved over the device’s many special features, listing its auto-timer, headphone jack, compact build, and affordability as details that contribute to its overall quality. LectroFan Evo White Noise Machine ($49.87) After reviewing the special features the Baby Dream Machine offers users, we’re impressed. The sound machine is also a nightlight that emits red light, helping babies produce more melatonin so that they fall and stay asleep throughout the night. The device also acts as a cool-mist humidifier, plays sound-engineered pink noise, and also doubles as a diffuser. No wonder parents call it a dream come true. Baby Dream Machine Baby Dream Machine Sleep Device ($119)
